Boise Committee on Foreign Relations has upgraded to a new online website with online new membership application, dues renewal,  and event scheduling. Members can now register for events, and manage their membership online. Fee payments are now much simpler, with an online credit card payment option.

After many years of using only the Riverside Hotel for meetings, we are now alternating with the Barber Park Event Center. We have had a challenge to schedule some meetings at the Riverside Hotel. The Barber Park location now allows a somewhat less formal location, but more flexibility and lower meal costs.

During the BCFR Board meeting in November, the board voted to withdraw from membership with the American Committees on Foreign Relations (ACFR).

The BCFR was one of the founding members of ACFR, some 30 years ago. The ACFR has been the primary source of speakers for the BCFR, but over the years the ACFR has gradually declined in the quality and quantity of speakers.

This past year, ACFR has provided less than a third of our speakers, but is still receiving nearly half of our annual dues fees. The cost of being an ACFR member is no longer helpful to the BCFR. We are in conversation with ACFR, and BCFR will consider some level of ongoing relationship with ACFR.

BCFR is in conversation with other past ACFR committees, and will interface with them to help share speakers and online events. Also, with our membership connections with the University of Idaho - McClure Center and the Boise State University  - Frank Church  Institute,  we will continue our nearly 80 years of high quality speakers for future meetings.